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In a decisive move for climate action and conservation, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos have announced that the Bezos Earth Fund is supporting the protection of over 736,000 acres of rainforest in Peru, an area larger than New York City and Los Angeles combined. Through a heartfelt social media post, the Fund shared that it is "proud to support this milestone" as "part of the global push to protect 30% of the planet by 2030."
And they have every reason to be proud. This massive achievement not only secures protection for two vital areas of the Amazon—Velo de la Novia and Medio Putumayo-Algodón —but also sends a signal to the world that protecting nature isn't just possible; it's happening.
What's at Stake and Why This Matters
The newly protected lands are more than just swaths of green on a map. These rainforests are home to rare and endangered wildlife, support local Indigenous communities, and serve as critical natural systems that absorb carbon dioxide, a key tool in the fight against climate change.
With this move, the Bezos Earth Fund helps ensure clean drinking water for local communities, sustainable food and fishing sources, habitat for rare species to survive and thrive, and carbon absorption that helps cool the planet.
In other words, this is about people, planet, and the pulse of future life on Earth.
What Is the Bezos Earth Fund?
The Bezos Earth Fund was launched in 2020, fueled by Jeff Bezos' $10 billion commitment to invest in climate and nature solutions. The goal is to deliver meaningful change within this decade.
The Fund isn't just writing checks. It's building a movement, backing bold ideas, innovative science, and grassroots action. It's staffed by a diverse team of changemakers who believe a better future is possible and within reach.
Peru's Amazon: A Global Treasure
The Amazon rainforest in Peru is one of the richest ecosystems on Earth. It's home to over 3,000 species of trees, thousands of birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, and indigenous communities whose knowledge and stewardship are vital to long-term conservation.
The Bezos Earth Fund's involvement also showcases how philanthropy can accelerate environmental progress. This latest milestone in Peru is part of a broader global push known as "30x30" — an urgent initiative to protect 30% of Earth's lands and oceans by 2030. Scientists say this is the minimum needed to stop the worst impacts of biodiversity loss and climate breakdown.
As part of their wedding celebration, Lauren and Jeff also donated to Venice. As dreamy as it all sounds, not everyone was thrilled. Venice locals launched a protest under the banner "No Space for Bezos," voicing concerns about overtourism and the strain events like this put on an already fragile city.
Still, Lauren and Jeff Bezos responded with diplomacy. They reportedly hired local Venetian artisans and workers, encouraged guests to donate to Venice-based charities, and donated themselves to various local causes. While it's not a perfect fix, it's a gesture that acknowledges and respects the city and country as a whole.
They are Doing their Best
In 2022, the couple took a trip to the West African nation of Gabon. The Amazon CEO and the philanthropist have been trying to support the area. In September of the same year, Sanchez Bezos shared a video about restoring the climate crisis.
"Restoring deforested and degraded land is among the most widely accessible, cost-effective solutions in the fight against climate change," she wrote. "Investing in restoration brings better yields for farmers. Harvests that are more resilient to drought and heat.More jobs. More food security. More economic development. Nowhere does landscape restoration have greater potential than in Africa, where opportunities and needs are the greatest. African countries have set an ambitious target to restore 100 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 through the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100) and Great Green Wall. That's why the Bezos Earth Fund is committed to scaling up locally-led restoration in Africa."
She also shared her experience in Gabon. "While I was in Gabon with @jeffbezos, @drandrewsteer, and @bezosearthfund, we witnessed the incredible work being done to conserve and protect the forests of Africa's Congo Basin," she revealed.
"During the trip, I met with Hubert Ella Ekogha (left), the technical director for the National Parks of Gabon. We discussed what is being done in the region to conserve and protect the land… as well as what still needs to be done. Let's make our goals a reality!" Lauren concluded.
As HOLA! USA previously reported, Lauren Sánchez Bezos supports many causes. Whether visiting migrant children in newly built educational spaces in Mexico or empowering female business owners selling goods in the nonprofit, fair trade shop The Little Market, she always finds ways to give back, elevate communities, and leave her positive mark on the world.
The journalist and philanthropist also traveled to Tanzania alongside the Bezos Earth Fund to enjoy the East African country's wild beauty and support Jeff Bezos' commitment to donate $10 billion disbursed as grants.
The Bezos Earth Fund's first investment was dedicated explicitly to marine protection at the United Nations Ocean Conference, totaling $50 million in new grants.